NAWCA Grant Awarded for New York Refuge Enhancement

Ducks Unlimited was recently awarded a $62,407 North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) grant for wetland restoration work on the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in western New York. DU and its partners will enhance 1,000 acres of forested wetlands through restored hydrology and reforestation.

"Iroquois NWR has always been important to Ducks Unlimited," said DU Regional Biologist Sarah Fleming. "The area is an important stop for migratory waterfowl. Reforestation provides valuable habitat, and putting in new culverts and removing portions of a dike will help this part of the refuge function more effectively, providing more food and better habitat for waterfowl on their way to the breeding grounds."

Other partners in the grant proposal include Cargill, Friends of Iroquois NWR, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Enhancement work will take place in an area of the refuge known as the Seneca Pool, and is expected to be completed this fall. Many wildlife species will benefit from this work, including American black ducks, American woodcock, and cerulean warblers.